LED assemblies and light strings containing same

Abstract

An LED light string employs a plurality of electrical components defined by LEDs and sockets wired in block series-parallel, where the one or more series blocks, each driven at the same input voltage as the source voltage (110 VAC or 220 VAC), are coupled in parallel. The LED light string interfaces to the source voltage using a common household plug; it may also include a corresponding common, household socket, coupled in electrical parallel, to enable multiple light strings to be connected to each other from end to end. In order to directly drive a network of diodes without current-limiting circuitry, the voltage of each series block of diodes must be matched to the input source voltage. This voltage matching requirement for direct AC drive places fundamental restrictions on the number of diodes on each diode series block, depending on the types of diodes used. For the voltage to be “matched,” it is possible to employ LED assemblies of different resistance values; e.g., the LED assemblies may emit different colors or be formed with a dedicated resistor (e.g., drop down resistor) integrally formed as part of at least one of the LED assemblies.

1. A light string comprising:
 a predetermined number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and sockets forming a plurality of individual electrical components electrically coupled in series to form at least one series block, each electrical component defining individual alternating current average drive voltages and individual resistance values, the series block having a first electrical component and a last electrical component, and 
 an alternating current electrical power supply having an average supply voltage, 
 wherein a summation of said individual alternating current average drive voltages is substantially equal to said average supply voltage, and wherein said individual resistance values vary among said plurality of individual electrical components. 
 
   
   
     2. The light string of  claim 1 , wherein said individual alternating current drive voltages of said each electrical component is substantially the same. 
   
   
     3. The light string of  claim 1 , wherein said individual alternating current drive voltages of at least two of said electrical component is substantially different. 
   
   
     4. The light string of  claim 1 , further comprising rectification circuitry between said predetermined number of light emitting diodes and said power supply. 
   
   
     5. A light string comprising:
 a predetermined number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and sockets forming a plurality of individual electrical components electrically coupled in series to form at least one series block, each electrical component defining individual alternating current average drive voltages and individual resistance values, the series block having a first electrical component and a last electrical component, and 
 an alternating current electrical power supply having an average supply voltage, 
 wherein a summation of said individual alternating current average drive voltages is substantially equal to said average supply voltage, and wherein said individual resistance values vary among said plurality of individual electrical components, 
 wherein said individual resistance values of at least two of said electrical components is substantially different because said at least two of said electrical components is adapted to emit a different color light. 
 
   
   
     6. A light string comprising:
 a predetermined number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and sockets forming a plurality of individual electrical components electrically coupled in series to form at least one series block, each electrical component defining individual alternating current average drive voltages and individual resistance values, the series block having a first electrical component and a last electrical component, and 
 an alternating current electrical power supply having an average supply voltage, 
 wherein a summation of said individual alternating current average drive voltages is substantially equal to said average supply voltage, and wherein said individual resistance values vary among said plurality of individual electrical components, 
 wherein said individual resistance values of at least two of said electrical components is substantially different because one of said at least two electrical components comprises a dedicated resistor integrally formed as part of said electrical component. 
 
   
   
     7. A light string comprising:
 a predetermined number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and sockets forming a plurality of individual electrical components electrically coupled in series to form at least one series block, each electrical component defining individual alternating current average drive voltages and individual resistance values, the series block having a first electrical component and a last electrical component, and 
 an alternating current electrical power supply having an average supply voltage, 
 wherein a summation of said individual alternating current average drive voltages is substantially equal to said average supply voltage, and wherein said individual resistance values vary among said plurality of individual electrical components, 
 wherein at least one of said electrical components comprises a dedicated resistor integrally formed as part of said electrical component. 
 
   
   
     8. A light string comprising:
 a predetermined number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and sockets forming a plurality of individual electrical components electrically coupled in series to form at least one series block, each electrical component defining individual alternating current average drive voltages and individual resistance values, the series block having a first electrical component and a last electrical component, and 
 an alternating current electrical power supply having an average supply voltage, 
 wherein a summation of said individual alternating current average drive voltages is substantially equal to said average supply voltage, and wherein said individual resistance values vary among said plurality of individual electrical components, 
 wherein said individual resistance values of at least three electrical components is substantially different from the remaining individual components. 
 
   
   
     9. The light string of  claim 8 , wherein said first electrical component is directly coupled intermediate a source end and a terminal end of a first set of wires and the last electrical component directly coupled intermediate the source end and the terminal end of a second set of wires, the light string being free from additional circuitry intermediate the first electrical component and the source end of the first set of wires, between each of the electrical components, and intermediate the last electrical component and the source end of the second set of wires, and
 wherein a first connector is coupled to both the source end of the first set of wires and the source end of the second set of wires which connector facilitates a direct connection between the first electrical component and a first side of said alternating current electrical power supply, and the last electrical component and a second side of the alternating current electrical power supply. 
 
   
   
     10. The light string of  claim 9 , wherein said predetermined number of electrical components substantially equal to the supply voltage divided by an average of said individual alternating current drive voltages.